Here´s the deal:
Follow me drones are perfect when you want to get action footage of yourself skiing, cycling, snowboarding, running or even surfing.
But:
Many don´t perform very well, are difficult to control and shoot low quality footage.
So we compiled a list of 11 Outstanding Follow Drones that shoot Crystal Clear Video .
Top Drones That Follow You 2023:
Drone with Follow Mode | Our Score | Price | Camera | Flight Time | Obstacle Avoidance While Following |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DJI Air 2S | Best Buy 2023 | 1-Inch CMOS Sensor 5.4K Video | 31 min | Yes | |
SYMA X500 4K | Best Mid-Range Choice | 4K UHD Camera | 20 min | No | |
Potensic T25 Drone with 2K Camera | Best Budget Choice | 2K 120° FOV | Up to 15 min | No | |
DJI Mavic 3 | Best Pro Choice | 5.1K video 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad Camera | 46 min | Yes | |
DJI Mini 3 PRO | Runner Up, Best Buy 2023 | 48 MP Photo 4K/60 fps Video | 34 min | Yes |
Scroll down for more drones with follow me mode.
- Best Buy 2023 According to DroneGuru
- 31 minutes flight time
- Follow Me Features, 4-Directional Obstacle Sensing and more
- 1″ CMOS Sensor 5.4K Video
Reviews of the Best Drones That Follow You
1. Best Value – Holy Stone HS720 Foldable GPS Follow Me Drone
Specs
Flight Time: 26 Minutes
Camera: 4K UHD Camera, 3840 x 2160 high-resolution images, 5GHz FPV transmission, and 90°adjustable lens
Range: 3000 ft high
What We Like
- Has GPS feature
- Great value for money
- Has a good camera, especially at price point
This drone is relatively easy for beginners to use, captures crisp and clear images and video, and offers an automatic return feature anytime its battery is low or it loses GPS signal.
This is a reasonably inexpensive drone option that offers 4k ultra HD stills and video capture.
When I had a chance to test fly it I noticed that it’s relatively easy for new drone users to learn and it has things like camera stabilization and return to base features when the battery gets low.
HS720 Features
It uses a remote control (included) and also has a smartphone app so you have a few more options to interface with the drone.
The carry case is also included, and the drone folds to a smaller size for easy storage. The storage area also has some space for spare parts and other necessary equipment.
The follow-me feature is great for vloggers who want to be out and active in their videos. It’s designed to keep up with runners, provide a stable altitude for smooth capture, and has detailed enough video to capture complicated movements.
It looks a bit like the Mavic when I look at it from a distance.
The brushless motor on this drone increases its functional life, making it a better investment. However, the battery on this drone has a particularly long charging time, so you’ll probably want to invest in several spare batteries.
I was a bit surprised when I opened the back of the controller and noticed that the controller runs on AA batteries, and not lithium batteries. But it is a budget drone, so I guess it comes with the territory.
2. Best Mid-Range Choice – DJI Mini SE
Specs
Flight Time: 30 minutes
Camera: 12MP pictures, 2.7K video
Range: 4 km
What We Like
- It weighs 249 grams, so it is easy to bring everywhere
- Packs a lot of technology into a small drone
- Does not need registration in the US
- Works well with DJI Fly App
DJI Mini SE packs a lot of punch for its size. When I first felt the drone I understood how it is possible, it feels very compact.
What I love about flying with the Mini SE is how easy it is to travel with, as it weighs only 249 grams.
I was surprised at how fast it moves in the Sport mode, which makes it extra fun to fly. Videos are best done in the smoother cinematic mode, and the quality is comparable to smartphone videos and pics.
I encountered some winds when I trialed it, and I noticed that the Mini handles wind quite well.
Although the Mini SE does not have Active Track, you can still use it in follow-me mode using Litchi.
3. Runner Up, Best Value – DJI Mavic Air Drone That Can Follow You with Remote Controller
Specs
Flight Time: 21 minutes
Camera: 1/2.3” CMOS, 12MP, 4K 100 Mbps Video
Range: 80m distance, 50m height
What We Like
- High video quality
- Multi-person tracking
- 8gb internal storage
This camera captures crystal clear video with a stabilized camera, high video quality and memory, and a compact foldable design. It’s also got a multi-person tracking system that makes sure your drone is always following the right person.
This drone comes with an impressive 8 GB of internal storage for images and video. That’s enough to let you do a lot of captures, especially considering the relatively modest 21-minute flight time. You’ll still want to transfer images and video off the drone fairly quickly, but you might be able to take several flights between clearing the internal storage.
Mavic Air Quadcopter Features
The drone can be programmed to follow a specific individual in groups of up to 16 people. Using the remote or app, you’ll also be able to switch between different subjects for impressive action montages and other videos.
There are seven different onboard cameras, which means that you’ll almost always have a good sightline on your intended image. The primary camera is also slightly recessed into the drone, which gives it some added protection.
The additional cameras also make it easier for this drone to avoid obstructions and other problems along its flight path. It can see in several different directions, so it can see a wider range of awareness.
That’s good, since this drone is a large investment, and cameras are difficult to repair or replace if damaged.
When piloting the Mavic Air I was impressed with how stable it hovers and flies. Although this is par for the course with most of DJIs drones, I do find that it makes the drone easier to fly and easier to avoid hitting other nearby objects.
The Mavic Air 2 is now out on the shelf, and makes for a better buy if you have the budget for it. The flying time is very impressive (over 30 minutes) and the camera is stellar.
- Best Buy 2023 According to DroneGuru
- 31 minutes flight time
- Follow Me Features, 4-Directional Obstacle Sensing and more
- 1″ CMOS Sensor 5.4K Video
4. Best Budget Choice – Holy Stone HS120D Follow Drone
Specs
Flight Time: 36 minutes (split between 2 included batteries)
Camera: 1080p HD 120° FOV Adjustable FPV Camera
Range: 300 m
What We Like
- Great value for money
- GPS assisted flight
- Weight only 220 grams
This is a good introductory drone that’s affordable, still has a decent camera, and combines several safety features like return to home with a hands-free following feature for custom videos.
Before you fly the first time, make sure to read the manual. You will need to calibrate it before each flight. I noticed that the controller batteries last pretty long, I flew it for almost three weeks before I had to charge the batteries in the controller.
On my test flights, it struggled in windy weather, as it is so light. So best to fly on days without much wind.
I found the video output to be a bit unstable, but decent for a budget drone.
Both the follow me function, and object tracking worked well for me when I tested them.
The HS120D is a good introductory model that still offers advanced options like Follow Me and pre-determined flight paths. The battery life is a little shorter on this model than your average for a more advanced drone, about 17-18 minutes per battery.
The short flight time per battery is made slightly better since the company includes 2 batteries with this drone, so you already have one spare. It’s probably still worth buying another battery or two, though, especially if you want a longer flight time.
HS120D Features
The drone does come with some spare parts, both landing gear and propellers, which makes it more affordable if you’re still learning. You’ll likely have the parts you need to repair the drone after your first crash or two.
It also has a pretty good range for a drone in this price point. That can mean there is a steeper learning curve for new drone pilots since you’ll have to learn about the range and battery life quickly, but it also comes with several features to make that process easier. Namely, auto-return when the battery gets too low.
5. Best Pro Choice – DJI Mavic 2 Pro
Specs
Flight Time: 31 min
Camera: Mavic 2 Zoom 2x Optical Zoom Camera, 8 km 1080p Video Transmission,
Range: 5000-8000 m (unobstructed)
What We Like
- Good camera
- Long flight time
- Safety features
This is a newer version of the Mavic drone we’ve already discussed on this list. As such, it makes sense that this drone has both a longer flight time and a larger range. In addition to the follow-me settings, the drone can also detect possible obstacles and move to avoid them.
This is one of the best drones out there for high-quality video and still capture. IT offers 4k ultra HD video capture as well as high-resolution images and rapid bursts of image capture.
You get relatively long flight time with this drone, slightly more than half an hour in most circumstances. That means longer continuous video, as well as more time to line up the perfect image for stills. The camera system has a wide range of different settings and modes, which gives you a lot of room to experiment and create.
Mavic Pro 2 Features
The drone itself also features a wide range of safety features. One of the most important, for a following drone, is the ability to detect and avoid obstructions. It will automatically detect and avoid most major obstructions, as well as avoiding new problems in its flight plan.
It will continue that detection and avoidance even in Follow Me mode or some of the other more autonomous settings.
6. Runner Up, Best Budget Choice – Potensic T25 GPS Drone
Specs
Flight Time: 16-18 minutes (split between two batteries)
Camera: 1080P HD Camera
Range: 300 M
What We Like
- Good camera
- GPS feature
- Great value for money
I had a chance to test fly the Potensic T25, and after 150 meters the return to home feature got activated, so the 300-meter specified range might be only in the best conditions.
The following mode works pretty well and considering that it is a toy drone, it is a pretty solid budget option.
T25 Features
This drone comes equipped with a 1080p camera with a wide-angle lens that captures a wider view than most drones at this price point. It’s Follow Me mode is fun to play with, while an intuitive controller makes it possible to directly the control the drone as needed.
You can also send this drone on a pre-determined path using the controller screen. It’s also got some additional stability; it’s designed to stay on track and level even in the wind.
I did notice that the camera sometimes drops frames, and the drone did get caught in the breeze a couple of times.
Importantly for newer pilots, the drone has a return home function in the case of low battery or loss of signal. That means that even if something goes wrong, your drone will attempt to return safely. It’s also equipped with rubber bumpers, which means that the occasional accidental bump or drop are less likely to cause damage to the drone.
I did notice that this feature works very well, and the drone did return to base as expected.
While the performance on this drone isn’t the same as a premium drone, it’s more than enough to get a feel for drone technology and start capturing cool aerial images. It is worth noting that this drone has a relatively short flight time. That means that you’ll need to get used to more breaks between flights, or to carrying several charged spare batteries.
7. DJI Phantom 3 Standard Quadcopter
– Still Good Value –
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The Drones from DJI are really setting the standard in the drone world, and they offer the best quality vs price ration right now, making the Phantom 3 by value, one the best drone that follows you.
When it comes to specifications and technical characteristics, here are some of the most important ones:
- Weight of 1216 grams
- Maximum ascent speed of five meters per second and maximum descend speed of three meters per second
- Maximum speed in the air of 16 meters per second
- Flight time with one battery reaches approximately 25 minutes
- There’s a built-in GPS system and a return home feature
- 2.7K video recording mode, HD (1280x720p), image maximum size of 4,000 x 3,000
- Control via the DJI GO mobile app (compatible with both iOS and Android devices)
DJI Phantom 3 will deliver an excellent performance when the Follow Me functionality is engaged. The drone uses Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) to do accurate positioning in the Follow Me mode. Because of this system, the drone will remain hovering at the same position in the air and having the camera follow/track a subject.
DJI Phantom 3 Standard, Advanced or Professional?
The technology is available in all three of the DJI Phantom 3 models – standard, advanced and professional. The Standard is the cheapest of the three models, and the main difference between them is the quality of the camera.
Make no mistake, the camera on the DJI Phantom 3 Standard is very good, with crystal clear footage, but professionals in the field and commercial users might want the best available, and then the Advanced and Professional provide a bit more.
Great for Beginners
DJI Phantom 3 has follow me technology that’s incredibly user-friendly and great for beginners. The controls of the Phantom 3 are also intuitive and easy to master.
Everything about the drone is constructed with beginners in mind, and there has been a very successful effort to make everything about the DJI Phantom 3 very accessible and easy for new drone users.
Follow Me is just one of the cool functionalities that DJI Phantom 3 features, you also get intelligent modes like Waypoints (a feature that records a certain flight path), Point of Interest (automatically revolving around an object or a subject), Home Lock (all flight controls are relative to the pilot’s position) and Course Lock (all flight controls are locked in relationship to the current course).
>>> Check Price and Reviews on Amazon! <<<
8. DJI Phantom 4 Quadcopter
– Outstanding Tech –
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The newly released DJI Phantom 4 lives up to the hype. The flight time is extended to 28 minutes, which is almost unheard of for a prosumer drone. It also comes with an advanced form of obstacle avoidance, which can be very useful in certain environments when you are using the follow me mode on the drone. It is also fast, 20 m/s vs 16 m/s of the Phanom 3 Standard and Advanded/Professional.
- Weight of 1380 grams
- Maximum ascend speed of six meters per second and maximum descend speed of four meters per second
- Maximum speed of 20 meters per second in the air
- Flight time of approximately 28 minutes with a single battery
- Built-in GPS system
- Obstacle sensory range of two to 49 meters
- Maximum image size of 3,000 x 4,000 and HD video recording mode (1280x720p)
Obstacle Avoidance
The biggest difference between Phantom 3 and Phantom 4 is that the newer model comes equipped with an intelligent camera. It can automatically produce seamless tracking shots, it can fly around obstacles and it can react to the specifics of the environment.
The obstacle avoidance can be a huge benefit when using the follow me mode, and this ability sets the Phantom 4 apart from most of the drones on this list.
The Follow Me mode is similar to what DJI Phantom 3 can do.
One of the biggest benefit of the commercial drone Phantom 4 is the increased flight time that enables the camera to track a subject for longer and create more pictures or a longer video clip.
>>> Check Price and Reviews on Amazon! <<<
9. 3DR Solo Drone Quadcopter
– Use with GoPro –
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The Solo from 3DR is a drone for GoPro and it is marketed as the worlds first smart drone.
Advertised as “the first drone with a brain,” 3DR Solo is powered by twin computers for a more intelligent performance. It also features incredibly intuitive controls, making it perfect for the newbies looking for an easy to use follow me drone.
The 3DR Solo specs include the following:
- Weight of 1500 grams (it increases to 1800 grams through the addition of gimbal and a GoPro camera)
- Maximum ascend speed of 10 meters per second
- Maximum speed in the air of 89 kilometers per hour
- Flight time of 25 minutes
- Maximum payload of 420 grams
- Battery charging time of approximately 1.5 hours
Solo has several intelligent control modes, the Follow Me mode, Orbit, Cable Cam and Selfie.
The Solo claimed to be the world’s first smart drone. And it undeniable has some very cool features that makes it popular with both commercial users and regular users.
The intelligent computer system allows for angle, distance and perspective changes while the drone is in flight. The result is a more detailed clip that features smooth transitions and movement.
10. DJI Mavic Pro
– Foldable Outstanding Tech –
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The Mavic Pro is DJI:s first foldable drone, and while being small and easy to carry it still has the exciting technology and key features of most of the bigger Phantoms.
Portability is what makes the Mavic Pro stand out. But that is not all it offers, it also has some really awesome functions, like follow me mode, dronie by gesture and obstacle avoidance.
Key Specs:
Flight Time: 27 min
Speed: 65 km/h
Control Range: 7 km
Gimbal: 3-axis
Camera/Video: 12 MP / 4K
The DJI Mavic Pro is an awesome drone that can follow you, with ground breaking features, and an outstanding flight time. Since it is so easy to bring with you, this is an excellent choice for shooting sports, and extreme sports.
>>> Check Price at DJI Store <<<
Hubsan H501S X4 Brushless FPV Ready to Fly Quadcopter
– Great Budget Follow Drone –
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This GPS-enabled quadcopter is designed for the needs of beginners in the exciting world of follow me drones. It is also much more affordable than some of the other drones in this list, which makes it a great starting drone for first-time pilots.
Hubsan H501S X4 has:
- Flight control distance of 300 meters
- Maximum flight time of 20 minutes
- Battery charging time of 150 minutes
- 5.8G wireless video transmission
- Built-in HD camera (1280x720p)
- Automatic return to home function
- Six-axis gyro
- Weight of the quadcopter (battery included) is 410 grams
The built-in GPS system enables the quadcopter to follow a subject around. The feature can be enabled when both the quadcopter and the transmitter sync with at least six satellites. This is a safety measure that’s needed to keep the quadcopter properly positioned at all times.
AirDog Auto-Follow Drone
– Great for Downhill and Water Sports –
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Follows You Downhill
The AirDog has a Follow Terrain feature, and can follow you up and down in altitude. This is great when skiing, snowboarding or any other sports going down a hill.
To my knowledge none of the other drones on this list has the capability of following down in altitude, the DJI Phantom 4 and DJI Mavic Pro can only follow you up in altitude, which is not all that useful skiing downhill.
Waterproof Control
If you want a drone that follows you surfing, water-skiing, or enjoying other forms of water sports, this might be your best bet.
Although the AirDog is not officially waterproof, according to reports you can dump it in the water without problems.
The wrist controller is waterproof, so you can control it while you are on the water, surfing, skiing etc.
Another option for water sports would be the Lily drone, which is supposed to be waterproof, but at the time of writing it is not yet shipping, and I dont yet know the price.
AirDog carries a higher price tag than most other drones on this list, but if you will be going downhill or doing lots of water activities it is worth it.
The AirDog was launched after the completion of a successful crowdfunding campaign, and it’s especially created for the needs of extreme sports and outdoor adventure enthusiasts.
AirDog Auto-Follow Drone is foldable and very small, which gives it competitive advantage over the other follow drones.
- Weight of 1,980 grams
- Maximum speed in the air of 68 kilometers per hour
- 18 minutes of flight time
- Wind resistance for air currents having speed of up to 14 meters per second
- Long-range Bluetooth connectivity
- Drone compatibility with GoPro cameras (see our top list here),
- Operational range of up to 250 meters
When it comes to the Follow Me feature, AirDog is capable of doing two things. It can stay behind and capture the action or go in front of the subject.
There’s a wearable device included in the kit that’s used to control the drone.
With the press of a button, you can send AirDog to the starting location. The drone will land and wait for you to pick it up in the end of the adventure.
AirDog has Ground Collision Avoidance, but I do not think that includes obstacle avoidance, but they are working on a community driven obstacle avoidance solution that will be software based. It will be available as an upgrade later on.
Staaker
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The Staaker is developed in Norway, and is an exciting new edition to the world of follow drones. Just like the AirDog it uses a tracker that you wear, and that the Staaker will automatically follow.
Here are the specs:
- Weight of 1,6 kg
- Maximum speed in the air of 80 kilometers per hour
- 30 minutes of flight time
- Waterproof tracker and weatherproof drone
- Control range of 500 meters
- 3-axis gimbal to stabilize video
The drone has several different Follow Me modes, and you need to wear the Staaker tracker device.
You can also control the height of the Staaker and the closeness of the Staaker to the tracker with it.
It will follow you up a hill automatically without any manual input.
Staaker is now shipping and you can order it here.
Altitude Follow
In the Follow Me Mode, most drones stay at a set altitude, and this altitude will not change regardless of the altitude changes of the subject they follow. So if you are going downhill most drones will stay at the same height and film. If you are going uphill they might crash against the hill.
Some drones are equipped with something called “Terrain Follow”. This feature allows the drone to adjust its altitude while it follows its subject.
The DJI Phantom 4 can follow its target up a hill, and adjust the altitude while moving. However going down a hill the height will probably need stick input.
The AirDog can follow and adjust its altitude going downhill and uphill, making it the perfect choice for actions sports like skiing or snowboarding downhill. This feature can be switched on or off, depending on your needs.
Using the Follow Me Mode
Keep in mind that using the Follow Me mode is usually a bit more challenging than what’s presented in ads.
GPS tracking leaves some margin for error. You should probably get started in a larger open space. Doing a few video clips and checking whether the subject is positioned centrally will give you a better idea about the accuracy and the adjustments that will have to be made.
Regardless of the fact that the drones require no control in the follow me mode, it’s still a good idea to go through the manual and make sure that you stick to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
There could be some specific adjustments to make in the beginning of the flight that will maximize accuracy and the clarity of the shots.
Active Track vs Follow Me Mode
Some of DJIs drones use something called “Active Track” instead of the Follow Me Mode. What is the difference? Active Track follows an object or a person around, while with the Follow Me mode you have the drone track yourself. In the latter mode the drone can keep following you even though there is no visual. With the Active Track the drone will lose its subject if it loses visual.
Active Track with Obstacle Avoidance
When you combine Active Track with Obstacle Avoidance you get magic. The drone will avoid the trees and everything in the way, and keep tracking you.
Active Track 4.0, which you can find in the Air 2S and also the new DJI Mini 3 Pro is an improvement over the old version in that it aggressively searches for you if it loses sight and tracking of you.
When to get a Drone License?
If you are flying to make money you will have to get a drone pilot license. You will then need to register your drone as a commercial drone and make sure to follow federal, state and local law. There are lots more steps to it, but luckily there are great drone license courses around that will carry you through the process.
Follow me drones present you with an awesome way to make action footage of your adventure, whether you are skiing, surfing, kiteboarding, snowboarding, cycling, running or just shooting the action at the skate-park.
- The Ultimate Guide to Traveling Safely With Drones in 2023 - January 14, 2020
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What about attaching the transmitter or whatever it will follow on a 1/8 scale RC 4×4? This will decide if I buy this as that is my application for this drone…Just want to make sure as it goes upto 60MPH on or off road
60 miles per hour is roughly 95.6 kilometers per hour
Sorry, 96.5 kilometers per hour.
Follow me mode doesn’t use a controller right? Because when you described the Lily Drone you said it just uses the Tracker and that there is no controller required. Does this mean the others use a controller for follow me?
Also I have seen that some of the follow me functions on these drones do not follow you down in altitude (e.g. skiing down a hill) they just go flat and eventually lose sight of you. Which ones follow you down the hill well?
Depends on the drone. You can use Active Track on the DJI Phantom 4 and DJI Mavic Pro. Then they will follow you without a control.
AirDog uses the AirLeash control, it is waterproof and you wear it on your wrist. This means that you can control the AirDog while surfing etc
AirDog will also follow you down a hill very well, it has a follow terrain feature, that will follow up and down in altitude.
To my knowledge, the others will not automatically follow down. DJI Phantom 4 and Mavic Pro will follow upwards, but seem to requite manual input to go down.
I think the AirDog is superior for downhill sports, such as skiing and snowboarding.
The Parrot Bebop 2 will follow or track you in any position and any direction (including up and down) completely hands free. It has the best performing follow/track function of any drone currently available.
I would be very interested in an answer to Jeffs second question
FInd the answer above, sorry for the late reply 🙂
I’m also interested in an answer to Jeff’s second question. I was ready to buy the Mavic but when I found out it won’t follow the subject down a hill I changed my mind about buying a drone.
If you are going down a hill, AirDog is probably your drone. The DJI Mavic or the DJI Phantom 4 seem to need stick input to follow a subject down in altitude.
Not sure why the Parrot Bebop 2 is not mentioned in this list. It has arguably the best target tracking performance, using a combination of the drone GPS + cell phone GPS, visual imaage tracking, and cell phone barometric data. This means that it will follow or track a subject in any position and will also climb and descend in relation to the subject. Its tracking system works very well, better than some other makes and models costing twice as much.
I’m looking for a camera that can follow contact sports and has a small soft tracking device to allow me to record match I’m playing in and more importantly will return to the take off site before the battery fails.
Which one are Backpack compatible i need to fold it up for easy transport?
You can buy a hard case backpack for the Phantoms, and the 3DR SOLO. The AirDog is foldable and should fit nicely into a backpack. Also check out the DJI Mavic Pro, which is very small folded.
I have a Staaker, the package come with two batteries. It did claim their flight time for 30 minutes. But my experience is that they only last for about 15 minutes.
The conditions i filmed were with wind speed around 20 knots or under.
At first their technical support team said that quickly ran out of power could be to do with the high wind.
But After a couple occasions of shooting, the batteries operate in less than less time.
Even when just inserted the fully charged battery to the drone, the reading on tracker display showed only 71% of power immediately.
I have the Staaker only for a month, and this seems to be unacceptable for such a quick degrading of battery.
So, i uploaded all my flight log to them and asked for diagnosis.
But after one month past, I still receive no reply at all.
I think your review is good, and it will be even better that if you could also review each brands’ technical support.
Thanks for the info! I’m planning to get one on your list since my so really loves drones.
DJI phantom 4 looks great with its amazing physical design. Hopefully, it has a carrier/slot for gps trackers, just for additional security.
Does any of these supports FPV googles? Follow Me plus FPV googles is really quite a good combination.
Isn’t the Skydio R1 drone the best tracking/following and obstacle avvoidance drone on the market? How is it not even listed even after this article was updated this year? Sad.
Yaneec typhoon to me is the absolute best picture and video quality I also have dji inspire and typhoon kills it and kills it in follow me mode stop shopping dji I’m so glad I did I make a ton of money in reality pictures and video. Change is coming